They had a pleasant Communion at Mbuma in April. Rev. P. Mzamo and Rev. Z. Mazvabo were greatly appreciated. There were large congregations — about five hundred on Sabbath. There were eighty men and women living on the Mission who had come from out-lying stations. One of the visiting teachers from Ingwenya, Miss Norma MacLean, was impressed with the fact that the sermons were exactly the same as one would hear in Scotland. Tribe or clan or language make no difference where the spiritual needs of sinners are concerned. All need the salvation that is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. There were five new members received, among them a young man who, as a boy, had been a schoolboy at Ingwenya in the 1960s. He and his family are now living at Mbuma. During the communion the fellowship in the homes was warm and spiritual.
Mr Dick Vermeulen has written an interesting account of his experiences since he returned to Kenya and Malawi. A visit was paid to the Clinic at Sengera by the Ministry of Health Team to see if it qualified as a Health Clinic, and a full report was prepared to be sent to Nairobi for final approval. There were some additional facilities required, such as a laundry, a kitchen and a store-room. Arrangements are underway for a good water supply to be available and the main electricity lines are to be extended to Sengera.
Mr Vermeulen also writes of services held at South Mugirango on a Sabbath morning and at Riamangata in the afternoon. The roads were in a very bad condition after the heavy rains. The distances are so great that Mr Vermeulen spent three hours in travelling and three hours in taking the services. However, quite a number of the people who attended the services had walked for three hours to get there!
From Kenya Mr Vermeulen travelled to Malawi. He stayed first in a guesthouse in Blantyre and then moved into the new Mission house. There the water had not been laid on, nor was there any electricity. The Water Board is busy extending the main water-line and it is hoped that before long the Mission House will be connected. For the present, water is carried from the village water-pipe.
Mr Vermeulen finished his Report by saying: “Pray that the work may prosper, and that poor sinners may be added to the Church in this part of the world, and that everything be done to the honour and glory of God’s Name. And may we also remember that many are praying that you will continue to help them. Without your help we cannot continue. Are you amongst those who have supported the work with all your might. It shall not be unrewarded.”